https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:28:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583436 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 10:00:41 +0000 BabyTsMom 2583436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LaughLines: @Shantuck: oh yes, the third rack is on my list of must-haves!! we don't have one now, but I can see it being incredibly useful.<br /> @lamariniere: going to look at some Mieles today! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583422 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 08:35:44 +0000 LaughLines 2583422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got a new bosch with a 3rd rack and I'm OBSESSED with the 3rd rack. I'll never not have one again. We put all tupperwear lids, sippy cup straws/lids, plastic baby silverwear, etc up on the third rack and it frees up so much space. Highly reccomend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583407 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 07:35:04 +0000 FannyMae 2583407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a Bosch Life Style (about 6 years old), its quiet, I like the cutlery is laid in its tray to wash, it fits lots of dishes. I don't think it has a dry cycle, but my dishes always come out dry and there isn't any steam when you open up after a cycle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583375 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 01:20:21 +0000 Kemma 2583375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: @BabyTsMom: Fisher and Paykel is a New Zealand owned company and I think their dish drawers are pretty sweet! We had one in the office at the last place I worked (like actually in the office space) and it was quiet enough that it didn't disrupt anybody in the office and it also had a 45 minute "express" cycle which was perfect for doing the dishes between meetings or between morning tea and lunch. I'd totally get dish drawers if it was in my budget! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583293 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 17:54:42 +0000 yoursilverlining 2583293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Magtag energy star stainless built-in that's awesome - I LOVE IT! It's very quiet and very fast; we have an open layout and when we have dinner parties we usually run a load right after dinner and it's quiet enough no one really hears it while sitting at our dining table less than 10 feet away. It's got a dry cycle, steam cycles, etc. it's 4 years old and we've had zero issues with it (knock on wood). </p> <p>It's not the largest on the market, but it's fine for our family and we hand wash knives, pans, etc anyway so we don't need that extra space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583237 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 15:39:54 +0000 BabyTsMom 2583237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: thanks!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583105 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 12:06:54 +0000 SweetiePie 2583105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyTsMom: I happen to be on an actual computer which is super rare so this is perfect timing to ask me questions :-)</p> <p>1) was it a big PITA to have to put detergent into each drawer separately?<br /> I didn't think so. Because usually I wasn't running both at one time. I was usually doing one drawer at a time so it was the same as if I was running a normal dishwasher. But you DO have to add it to both if you are running both at one time once a day. In that case it might not make sense to do the drawers if you'll be doing one big run once a day anyway. It worked really well for me since I'm not a huge cook and we are mostly doing glasses, mugs, bottles/straw cups, and silverware every day. I definitely have enough of that stuff to run daily, but nothing to fill the bottom rack usually. So it was really nice to not feel guilty to run a small load daily.</p> <p>2) And what about bulky/tall items, like skillets or pans? Is one drawer deep enough?<br /> I think both were the same size. They both have the same racks/configuration as well. But what I did is used the top to run small loads of the above mentioned items once or twice a day. And since I had way less items like dishes, pots, pans, pitchers, etc, I would put those in the bottom and maybe only run every other day. Or use one entire side of the bottom for one big pan and used the other side of the bottom for glasses and stuff. Either way, its definitely deep enough to do a stock pot or a cookie sheet (I've done both). At least the model I had was. My old building was built in 2008, I believe, so that's probably how old the machine was. I can't speak to the brand new model! </p> <p>3) Does the bottom compartment get neglected if you only do small loads? Hmmm I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean do you only end up using the top one? For me, probably. Because like I said, I tended to use that one more. I used the bottom for bigger items, overflow from the top (if I did happen to have a dish-heavy day) or if the top was running/I was lazy and didnt empty it and I had more stuff. So if I had to quantify it...I'd say in a full week I would run the top one 1-2 times a day (so lets average and say 10 times a week) and the bottom maybe 5 times a week. I DID try to alternate them (per the manufacturer recommendation) but I would often default to the top one if it was open. </p> <p>Hope this helps! Again, it may be that this is better for a certain lifestyle (ie the non-cook). If you cook a lot and would expect to run both at the same time every day, drawers probably aren't the way to go. </p> <p>But if it sounds good to you...heck, you might even want to figure out if there's a way to make the extra 2 inches! Cut into the counter or something. Its that awesome!</p> <p>Lastly, maybe other brands make a drawer as well? Fisher-Paykell is just the one we had. I haven't done any reserach to see if others have it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583100 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 11:52:08 +0000 BabyTsMom 2583100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: yeah it's weird, they're all about 36" high, whereas other built-ins are 34". I'm gonna go home after work and measure again!!! haha. Questions: was it a big PITA to have to put detergent into each drawer separately? And what about bulky/tall items, like skillets or pans? Is one drawer deep enough? Does the bottom compartment get neglected if you only do small loads? (sorry for all the questions!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583073 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 10:37:55 +0000 honeybear 2583073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We bought a Whirlpool Gold last year. It's not "silent," in that you can hear some whooshing, but it's quiet enough that it's not an issue. I turn it on and we read aloud in the same room while it runs and it's not an issue at all. </p> <p>I use the "normal" cycle without the heated dry setting selected, and everything that's not plastic comes out mostly dry anyway. I open the door and pull out the silverware holder as soon as possible after the cycle, which probably helps. We don't have much plastic stuff, just a few lids, so I pull them out and let them dry on the drying rack by the sink before putting them away. </p> <p>The only thing I don't like about it is that it's stainless, but the rest of my kitchen appliances are stainless too, and I didn't want to replace the entire suite just for looks. </p> <p><a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd/Whirlpool-Gold-51-Decibel-Built-In-Dishwasher-Monochromatic-Stainless-Steel-Common-24-in-Actual-23-in-ENERGY-STAR/50245905?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-Appliances-_-Dishwashers-_-50245905:Whirlpool&#038;CAWELAID=&#038;kpid=50245905&#038;CAGPSPN=pla&#038;store_code=1720&#038;k_clickID=dbd1bfb9-5825-4f9e-ad70-be3a62cf99ff" rel="nofollow">http://www.lowes.com/pd/Whirlpool-Gold-51-Decibel-Built-In-Dishwasher-Monochromatic-Stainless-Steel-Common-24-in-Actual-23-in-ENERGY-STAR/50245905?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-Appliances-_-Dishwashers-_-50245905:Whirlpool&#038;CAWELAID=&#038;kpid=50245905&#038;CAGPSPN=pla&#038;store_code=1720&#038;k_clickID=dbd1bfb9-5825-4f9e-ad70-be3a62cf99ff</a></p> <p>ETA: Another thing that was important to me was that it not make "beeping" noises. The Whirlpool only beeps when you press the buttons to start it, not at the end of the cycle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583071 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 10:37:04 +0000 SweetiePie 2583071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyTsMom: they may make smaller ones! I was in an NYC apartment so I can't imagine what fit in mine wouldn't fit in yours. I just posted that link to show the idea, but I would look for other size options if I were you. It was heavenly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583070 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 10:35:36 +0000 BabyTsMom 2583070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: That dishwasher looks amazing! I was about to pull the trigger until I realized It's too tall for my space. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583035 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 09:55:39 +0000 snowjewelz 2583035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a GE one and like that it's pretty quiet (I mean, I can hear it but compared to what we had at my parents house I think it's pretty quiet! I don't need it to be silent). I also like the heated dry cycle. I also like that I can just wash the upper deck when we don't have much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583034 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 09:55:35 +0000 looch 2583034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: that double door dishwasher would be perfect in my house, we often have a load of only glasses, and it would be sweet to be able to run it without guilt that the bottom is empty! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583033 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 09:55:17 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2583033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: I think this is what my parents when with because they are in an open floor plan and often run the dishwasher during the day. It is in the island but still extremely quiet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583028 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 09:33:06 +0000 Shantuck 2583028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Thermador and I have really been liking the third rack that it has. It is perfect for sippy cups, knives, etc. It's also extremely quiet but it isn't really a huge selling point for us since there are no bedrooms next to the kitchen in our home. I only know it is on when I see it shining a blue light on the floor.</p> <p>Before we moved into our new home, we had a GE one that allowed us to pre-load it with detergent so you only had to reload every so often. That was a really nice feature. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2583011 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:56:56 +0000 SweetiePie 2583011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dry cycle! I have a Bosch and I really truly hate it. I hate not having a dry cycle and I hate the incessant loud beep at the end. But we rent so I don't have a choice. </p> <p>A tip for not having the dry cycle (even though I still hate it). As soon as the beep to indicate it's finished, I crack it open a good foot or so. If I keep it shut the steam just creates condensation and wetness that will never go away and I must hand dry everything. If I leave it open for a few hours things aren't perfectly dry, but definitely not as wet. I like to run it after LO is in bed and it finishes between 9 and 10pm. As soon as it beeps I open it as mentioned and let it air dry over night. </p> <p>I also had this dishwasher in my last apartment and it was heavenly. Cleaned well, dried well, and I loved being able to do small loads instead of waiting for a big one to fill up. And I could continue to load one while the other was running or I still haven't put away.<br /> <a href="http://m.lowes.com/pd/Fisher-Paykel-53-Decibel-Double-Drawer-Dishwasher-Common-24-in-Actual-23-562-in-ENERGY-STAR/3624022?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA_ONLY-_-Appliances-_-SosDishwashers-_-3624022:Fisher_&#038;_Paykel&#038;CAWELAID=&#038;kpid=3624022&#038;CAGPSPN=pla&#038;k_clickID=ed6638e8-eddc-43c2-a857-c8938c5bf93c" rel="nofollow">http://m.lowes.com/pd/Fisher-Paykel-53-Decibel-Double-Drawer-Dishwasher-Common-24-in-Actual-23-562-in-ENERGY-STAR/3624022?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA_ONLY-_-Appliances-_-SosDishwashers-_-3624022:Fisher_&#038;_Paykel&#038;CAWELAID=&#038;kpid=3624022&#038;CAGPSPN=pla&#038;k_clickID=ed6638e8-eddc-43c2-a857-c8938c5bf93c</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582978 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 07:50:26 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2582978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumpkin Pie: mine are always dry. I've never needed a dry cycle. My dishwasher literally just finished so I checked to see the state of my dishes. The plastics have a little water on the bottoms. The glasses, dishes, and flatware are all bone dry but way too hot to touch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582975 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 07:44:56 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2582975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyTsMom: Ive heard the higher end models of the KA are really quiet. We haven't pulled the trigger because we are waiting for a good deal. We dont really care about sound too much because we typically run ours overnight. Most of the KA models have where you can have a bar handle or the controls on the top (hidden). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582973 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 07:31:34 +0000 KayKay 2582973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had some REALLY loud ones over the years, so if I were purchasing my own, I'd probably prioritize getting a quiet one. </p> <p>I didn't realize so many people actually use the heated dry! Ha. I have never used it, unless one of the kids hits that button by accident. Our Bosch doesn't have it, but only a handful of things seem to need to air dry each cycle. </p> <p>I don't love the rack configuration options for our current Bosch, but I'm not sure how I would figure that out before purchasing. Unless I took my dishes to the store ;) I like having the quiet more than I liked ones with slightly more useful configurations for our dishes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582952 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 07:01:06 +0000 looch 2582952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Rack configuration is the most important to me. I don't care if it makes some noise, I also don't care about the button placement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582901 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 00:20:23 +0000 lamariniere 2582901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We rent but we have Miele appliance. Our Miele dishwasher is AMAZING. It's practically silent and I think the racks are intelligently designed. We always use the dry cycle, everything comes out completely dry except some of the plastic Tupperware. I like the silverware basket because it has slots. Believe me, I get neurotic about separating my silverware by type and size. :silly: another feature, ours is built in to the cabinets so you don't even know it's there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582889 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:29:53 +0000 BabyTsMom 2582889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: that's my alternate choice too! but i'm still considering the Bosch. I have one now, and I love how quiet it is, and how minimalistic it is (no labels on the front, hidden controls, etc..) But I would love a heat dry cycle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582876 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 21:36:07 +0000 Pancakes 2582876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: Yes! We just bought a house with a Kenmore dishwasher, and ours is very quiet (compared to whatever we had at our last place), but for some reason the knives do not come out clean!</p> <p>I prefer not to use the heated dry to save energy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582846 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:37:23 +0000 ShootingStar 2582846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Bosch and never really have an issue with stuff not drying. The Kenmore we had at our previous house had a heated dry cycle and things seemed to come out a lot wetter. It also didn't seem to clean as effectively. Especially silverware. there were times when is have to rewash practically evey knife. No idea why they had such a problem. Another thing I like about our Bosh is that it can be reconfigured in many different ways. Things flip up or down and it can help when I've got randomly odd shaped stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582845 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:36:17 +0000 lawbee11 2582845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're due for a new one in the next year or two and I definitely want one with the buttons on top so LO can't mess with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582840 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:30:55 +0000 winter_wonder 2582840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kind of picky, but I like open silverware baskets as opposed to ones with tiny little holes to put silverware in. The end of our butter knives are large and round and never fit well. Plus, bigger cooking utensils didn't fit </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582812 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:50:50 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2582812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyTsMom: we ruled Bosch out for the same reason. We are considering a KitchenAid because it has heat dry </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582777 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:05:34 +0000 catlady 2582777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>QUIET. The woman who lived here before us replaced all the appliances before selling (so she could say they were all new) but went with the cheapest models for everything. I'm listening to my dishwasher right now and it sounds like a freight train coming through my living room.</p> <p>We actually don't even use our dry cycle. DH doesn't like to waste energy so we open it up and let them all air dry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582772 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:56:55 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2582772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Quiet, good rack configuration, cleans well, has an eco setting. I didn't even know there were dishwashers without a dry cycle. Although ours has one, I don't use it that often. I just leave the dishwasher open overnight and put away dishes in the morning. </p> <p>Those who have a Bosch, do you manually dry your dishes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dishwashers-whats-important-to-you#post-2582764 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:41:38 +0000 avivoca 2582764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It needed to be quiet, stainless, and not have any buttons on the front. We got a mid-range Frigidaire. It also has a dry cycle. </p>